Woods to miss second major of the year

Tiger Woods will miss his second consecutive major championship as he recovers from back surgery that has him on an indefinite leave from the game.

Woods announced on his website that he would be skipping the US Open in two weeks.

"Unfortunately, I won't be there because I'm not yet physically able to play competitive golf," said Woods, who will miss his sixth major due to injury as a professional. "I'd like to convey my regrets to the USGA leadership, the volunteers and the fans that I won't be at Pinehurst.

"The US Open is very important to me and I know it's going to be a great week. Despite missing the first two majors, and several other important tournaments, I remain very optimistic about this year and my future."

Woods has not played since the WGC-Cadillac Championship on March 9. He had surgery to alleviate a pinched nerve in his back on March 31, causing him to miss the Masters for the first time in his career.

Since winning the 2008 US Open - the last of his 14 major titles - Woods has missed four other majors, two that year following knee surgery and two in 2011 due to knee and Achilles injuries.

"There's no date, there's no timetable, just taking it day by day and just focusing on trying to get stronger and come back," he said. "I want to play today, but that's just not going to happen. So just taking it step by step."

The Open Championship at Royal Liverpool - where Woods won in 2006 - is five weeks after the US Open.

Woods called Jack Nicklaus on Wednesday morning to express his regrets over not being able to compete at this week's Memorial Tournament, which he has won five times.

"It was a very, very nice call, wishing me well [with] the tournament, sorry he couldn't be here," Nicklaus said. "He said he's doing well, progressing well, and he's looking forward to getting back into the game. He misses it."

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